Mask (Hudoq) | Yale University Art Gallery

19th–early 20th century

On view, 3rd floor, Indo-Pacific Art

Masks are used in many performances and ceremonies in Borneo, although they appear on different occasions in different regions. In western Borneo, where this mask comes from, they are used during circumcision and wedding rituals. Among the Kayan and Kenyah of eastern Borneo, masks are linked with the rice-planting festival, when elaborate performances are staged to ensure a good harvest. In southern Borneo, they traditionally appear as part of funeral ceremonies. Some represent refined human beings, and some depict fantastic animals based on real or imaginary prototypes, such as boars, hornbills, or dragons.

Medium: Wood with pigment and mirrored glass
Dimensions: 14 9/16 × 18 1/8 × 11 in. (37 × 46 × 28 cm)
Credit Line: Promised gift of Thomas Jaffe, B.A. 1971
Loan number: ILE2012.30.191
Geography: Made in Borneo, Indonesia
Culture: Kayan
Classification: Masks
Disclaimer: Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Object copyright

Additional information

Object/Work type

masks (costume)

Technical metadata and APIs

IIIF: Open in Mirador

View IIIF manifest

The International Image Interoperability Framework, or IIIF, is an open standard for delivering high-quality, attributed digital objects online at scale. Visit iiif.io to learn more
Linked Art: API response for this object

Linked Art is a Community working together to create a shared Model based on Linked Open Data to describe Art.